First Montessori School of Atlanta students, ages 12 to 14, placed about 200 pinwheels in front of their campus Sept. 21 to mark the International Day of Peace. This is the third year the school has participated in the program. The school is located at 5750 Long Island Drive in Atlanta.

Pinwheels for Peace has grown substantially since its conception in 2005 by two Florida teachers. The organization estimates that children and adults from around the world planted 3.5 million pinwheels of all shapes and sizes in 2011.

"Pinwheels remind us of a time as children when things were simple, joyful and peaceful," said Head of School Jerri King. "Pinwheels for Peace isn't a political statement. It's a wonderful way for our students to visually express their feelings about what's going on around them locally and globally."

First grade through eighth grade students wrote their thoughts about war, peace, tolerance and living in harmony with others on one side of the pinwheel. On the other side, they drew, painted or made a collage of something that expresses their feelings.

Art teacher Theresa Dean coordinated the First Montessori School of Atlanta project.

Artist Gerald Holtom designed the peace symbol in 1958 for the British nuclear disarmament movement. The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981. Sept. 21 was declared the permanent date in 2002.

First Montessori School of Atlanta is the Southeast's oldest Montessori school. It serves the needs of children ages 18 months to 14 years.

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